Jeep slide-off mishap near Godman claims driver

DAYTON–A 67-year-old Milton-Freewater, Ore., resident died following an accident near Godman in the Blue Mountains last Saturday, October 28.

Bodean M. Smith was driving a 1998 Jeep Wrangler with an acquaintance, Craig C. Harrigan of Walla Walla, who was traveling behind Smith in a separate vehicle, when the Jeep slid off the muddy roadway at about 4:10 p.m. and rolled down the hill, according to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.

Emergency vehicles were summoned to the site on roads reported to be slick with four to six inches of snow, while individuals at the scene attempted to extricate Smith from the vehicle.

Smith and Harrigan were reported to have been on a day trip, traveling through Tiger Canyon and Skyline Drive, stopping at Godman to assess conditions.

After Smith's vehicle left the roadway, his dog came up the hill, the CCSO report states, and other people in the area assisted Harrigan.

Officials notified the county coroner, local funeral home and Kyle's Towing, and were on scene until approximately 9 p.m.